Collapsible marker

ABSTRACT

A marker portion mounted on an upright post and having both reflective and fluorescent surfaces. The reflective surface is visible at night, and the fluorescent surface is visible during the day and also during dusk hours, or during adverse weather conditions which occur in the daytime. The marker portion is constructed from sheet material and the supporting post therefor extends up one side and holds the marker in assembled relation. The marker portion and its supporting post are of sufficient structural rigidity to withstand forces of the weather and forces resulting from passing vehicles. On the other hand, the marker is sufficiently weak in its structure that it will readily collapse when struck by a vehicle without causing material damage to the latter. The supporting post can be mounted rotatably in a ground socket, thus allowing the marker to rotate away from wind forces and allow the main pressure of the wind force to be at the post portion. The sheet metal construction of the marker portion also allows it to temporarily distort to an ellipitical shape under the force of strong winds to reduce the cross sectional area thereof that is subject to the wind.

United States Patent [191 Valley COLLAPSIBLE MARKER [76] Inventor: Irvin L. Valley, 17106 NE. Second Place, Bellevue, Wash. 98008 [221 Filed: Jan. 24, 1974 21 Appl. No; 436,176

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 235,292, March 16,

1972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 116/63 P [51] Int. Cl. E01F 9/10 [58] Field of Search 40/125 N; 404/9, 10; 116/63 R, 63 P;340/114,115,116,117, 119; 350/97 [56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,610,548 9/1952 lsenberg 350/97 3,021,755 2/1962 Karchenes 116/63 P UX 3,307,264 3/1967 Wolfe, Jr. 116/63 P UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 970,839 9/1964 United Kingdom 116/63 P 1,078,785 8/1967 United Kingdom 116/63 P Primary ExaminerJerry W. Myracle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Nicolaas DeVogel NOV. 4, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A marker portion mounted on an upright post and having both reflective and fluorescent surfaces. The reflective surface is visible at night, and the fluorescent surface is visible during the day and also during dusk hours, or during adverse Weather conditions which occur in the daytime. The marker portion is constructed from sheet material and the supporting post therefor extends up one side and holds the marker in assembled relation. The marker portion and its supporting post are of sufficient structural rigidity to withstand forces of the weather and forces resulting from passing vehicles. On the other hand, the marker is sufficiently weak in its structure that it will readily collapse when struck by a vehicle without causing material damage to the latter. The supporting post can be mounted rotatably in a ground socket, thus allowing the marker to rotate away from wind forces and allow the main pressure of the wind force to be at the post portion. The sheet metal construction of the marker portion also allows it to temporarily distort to an ellipitical shape under the force of strong winds to reduce the cross sectional area thereof that is subject to the wind.

2 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 U3. Patent Nov. 4, 19*75 US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,916,815

FIG. IO FIG. II

FIG. q

COLLAPSIBLE MARKER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 235,292, filed Mar. 16, 1972, now abandoned, for Collapsible Marker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new and useful improvements in markers.

Markers have heretofore been provided on airplane runways, taxi strips, roadways, and the like, but such markers have not fulfilled all the necessary requirements. For example, in airplane runways and the like, markers which are not lighted must have a surface which is visible from a considerable distance and also from all different angles so that aircraft can spot the markers from any direction. Previous markers have been deficient in this regard. Also, when markers are employed near runways or roadways it is desired that they not only be high visible, both day and night, but also that they be collapsible in order not to damage a vehicle in the event the vehicle strikes them. Prior art devices have also been deficient in this regard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention and forming an important objective thereof, there is provided a marker which overcomes deficiencies in the art as above described.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a marker having a structure capable of withstanding normal forces of the weather and indirect forces from vehicles but being readily collapsible when struck by a vehicle.

Another object is to provide a marker of the type described which employs upright support means serving both to support a marker portion off the ground and to hold the marker assembled.

Another object is to provide a marker of the type described having a novel marking surface, namely, a surface which is visible from all angles and which has a reflective section and a fluorescent section to provide visibility of the marker both night and day.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred forms of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of marker embodying features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly broken away, of another form of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show further forms of the invention; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified ground support for the marker;

FIGS. 9, I and 11 are top plan views of the marker of FIG. 8, these views showing various conditions thereof under difi'erentwind loads; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further modified ground support for the marker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in particular to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first form of marker embodying principles of the present invention. In this embodiment, there is employed a supporting post 10 which may be pounded into the ground as shown or, if desired, such post may be embedded in a concrete base. A marker portion 12 is supported on the post 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, such marker portion comprises a ho]- low cylinder with its upper and lower ends open.

With reference to FIG. 2, the marker portion 12 preferably comprises a sheet of bendable material, such as aluminum, which is bent around into a cylindrical shape. The ends of the sheet in forming the cylindrical marker portion 12 are overlapped at 14 and connection is made by bolting the overlappied portions to the post 10 by means of bolts 16. To receive the bolts, the overlapped portions 14 of the marker portion have suitable holes 18.

It is apparent that the present marker is readily installed by simply mounting the post 10 in the ground and then bolting the marker to the post.

The exterior surface of the marker portion 12 is provided with sections 20, 22 and 24 which extend all the way around the marker portion 12 in a horizontal plane. Although different arrangements of sections and colors may be provided, it has been found that to provide an effective marking surface, the sections 20 and 24 may comprise a highly fluorescent band which may be painted thereon or which may contain a fluorescent tape for good visibility of the two sections 20 and 24 in the daytime. Section 22, on the other hand, is painted or is covered with a reflective tape which is highly visible at night. Such reflective paint or tape is readily obtainable on the market. The colors of the sections 20, 22 and 24 may vary, but a highly fluorescent color for the sections 20 and 24 for daytime use and a highly reflective surface for the section 22 for nighttime use has been found to be preferable. Different arrangements and numbers of reflective and fluorescent sections may be used.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a modified form of the invention wherein a supporting post 26 supports a cylindrical marker portion 28, with the post, however, extending substantially axially of the marker body portion. The marker portion 28, as in FIG. 1, is constructed of a bendable sheet of material and has overlapped portions 30. A pair of diametrically extending mounting brackets 32 have flanged ends 34 which are directed toward the opposite end of the marker portion and which are attached to the marker portion 28 by bolts 36. Bolts 36 on one side pass through the overlapped portions 30 to hold the marker portions together. A pair of bolts 38 are mounted in the post 26 one above the top bracket 32 and the other below the bottom bracket 32. These bolts support and confine the marker on the post.

Marker portion 28 has horizontally extending sections 40, 42, 44 which are similar to FIG. 1 and may comprise top and bottom fluorescent sections 40 and 44 and an intermediate reflective section 42.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate modified forms of markers 46, 48, 50 and 52, respectively. These modified forms exemplify that the marker body portion may take different shapes than that illustrated in previous embodiments. For example, the marker portion may be rectangular, FIG. 5, hexagonal, FIG. 6, or frusto-conical, FIG. 7. These markers are similar to the previous embodiments in that they all include supporting posts 54 and necessary bracket supporting structure, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 between the posts and the marker portion. Also, each of the marker portions has reflective and fluorescent sections on the outer surface thereof as in FIGS. 1 and 3.

In each of the embodiments described, the reflective and fluorescent surfaces extend 360 degrees around the marker portion whereby the marker is visible from all angles of approach.

One feature of the invention is that the marker portion and the post portions are of sufficient rigidity to withstand normal weather condition, such as high winds, or indirect forces from vehicles such as air currents from airplanes, but on the other hand the frangibility of the marker portion and post are such that when contacted directly by a vehicle they will collapse without causing material damage to said vehicle. As an example, the markers can be used along runways or taxi strips of airports and will collapse when hit by a plane. The marker portion may thus comprise sheet aluminum, or plastic, and the post may comprise a bendable or fracturable material. Since the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 are open at the top and bottom, air passing thereover will not generate any lift.

The present marker may include a novel ground support, FIG. 8, adaptable especially for use in airports. In such support, a socket member 56 in the form of an open ended pipe is installed in the desired place and is arranged to rotatably receive the support post 10. Preferably, a bushing 58, such as an oil brass bushing, is supported in the top of the socket member 56 for providing an efficient rotatable interengagement between the post 10 and socket member 56, the bushing having a top flange 60 for seating support on socket member 56. Support post 10 is shorter than socket member 56 and the bottom edge of marker portion 12 abuts against the top of the bushing 58 or if desired the latter may be secured on the post as by a press fit. Socket member 56 projects slightly above ground to provide clearance between the marker portion and the ground. The marker portion 12 comprises the same construction as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The ground supporting arrangement of FIG. 8 allows the marker of FIG. 1 to perform all the functions heretofore described and in addition adds to the performance thereof in making it capable of withstanding greater wind forces. That is, since the post is attached to one side of the marker and the post is rotatable in the support therefor, the marker portion will turn away from a wind or jet blast and allow most of the pressure to be taken by the reinforced portion thereof, namely, the portion at and adjacent to the post. Such is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. That is, FIG. 9 shows the marker portion 12 in a normal position or in other Words a position not influenced by wind. Assuming that a gust of wind comes from the left, the marker portion will rotate to the position shown in FIG. 10 which gives it greater strength against the wind. In addition, it is desired that the shell construction of the marker portion be such that it will elongate under heavy wind conditions into an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. 11 to reduce the wind resistance thereagainst. The marker portion thus will withstand great wind forces even though it is made of rather fragile material and furthennore has the advantage that it will always maintain a visible marker surface. It is also apparent that since the marker portion is eccentrically supported and rotatable with its post, it will rotate out of the way if struck a glancing blow and may not be damaged to the extent that it has to be replaced.

FIG. 12 shows a form of the invention which utilizes the same type of marker portion 12 and a supporting post 10, as well as a support bushing 58, as in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, an extension 62 of tubular construction is supported on top of socket member 56 and held in upright relation by an insert or peg 64 which projects from the bottom thereof for removable reception in socket member 56. The post 10 of the marker portion 12 has rotatable support on the extension 62 to have all the advantages as described in connection with FIG. 8, the extension 62 serving to elevate the marker portion if such is desired. This embodiment, as well as the embodiment of FIG. 8, illustrates a structure that allows the marker to be lifted from its holder, namely, from the socket member 56, should it be desired to mow or plow snow in the area or to remove the marker for any reason. The top of the socket member 56 in FIG. 12 can be at or below ground level for this purpose.

The marker is adaptable for use on any strip for guiding aircraft such as landing strips, taxi strips, and .the like, and may as well be used on automobile roadways. It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various other changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. The marker being upright in its support will collect a minimum of dust, bird droppings, etc. and is somewhat self cleaning by rain or normal moisture condensation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A marker for an airport, comprising in combination;

a. a socket member arranged to be mounted in the ground,

b. an upright support post having a structure which is sufficiently rigid to withstand wind forces and the like from aircraft but being sufficiently'fragile to collapse when struck by an aircraft without causing damage to the aircraft,

c. a marker portion having a structure which is sufficiently rigid to withstand wind forces and the like from aircraft but being sufficientlyfragile to collapse when struck by an aircraft without causing damage to the aircraft,

d. said marker portion being a hollow cylinder of bendable material with upper and lower ends open whereby said cylinder provides for a visible outer surface of 360 therearound,

e. said surface including a fluorescent band therearound for daytime use and a reflective band therearound for nightime use,

f. said post projecting up into said marker portion through said open lower end of said cylinder,

g. securing means fastening said post to said marker portion along and inside from said upper to said lower end of said cylinder, and

2. The marker for an airport, as claimed in claim 1; wherein said marker portion material is adapted to automatically distort from said marker portion cylindrical shape to an elliptical shape with its major diameter parallel to said associated wind forces so that an automatic reduced resistance to said associated wind forces by said marker portion is provided for. 

1. A marker for an airport, comprising in combination; a. a socket member arranged to be mounted in the ground, b. an upright support post having a structure which is sufficiently rigid to withstand wind forces and the like from aircraft but being sufficiently fragile to collapse when struck by an aircraft without causing damage to the aircraft, c. a marker portion having a structure which is sufficiently rigid to withstand wind forces and the like from aircraft but being sufficiently fragile to collapse when struck by an aircraft without causing damage to the aircraft, d. said marker portion being a hollow cylinder of bendable material with upper and lower ends open whereby said cylinder provides for a visible outer surface of 360* therearound, e. said surface including a fluorescent band therearound for daytime use and a reflective band therearound for nightime use, f. said post projecting up into said marker portion through said open lower end of said cylinder, g. securing means fastening said post to said marker portion along and inside from said upper to said lower end of said cylinder, and h. a bushing mounted on said socket member for providing rotatable inter-engagement between said post and said socket member so that said post is rotatable about said post longitudinal axis whereby said marker portion upon subjection to associated wind forces will freely rotate to a position wherein said upper to said lower end of said cylinder to post securing means faces said associated wind forces.
 2. The marker for an airport, as claimed in claim 1; wherein said marker portion material is adapted to automatically distort from said marker portion cylindrical shape to an elliptical shape with its major diameter parallel to said associated wind forces so that an automatic reduced resistance to said associated wind forces by said marker portion is provided for. 